The campaign website for the “Young Persons’ Free Bus Travel Scheme” freebus.scot is now LIVE!

The website contains lots of helpful information for families and young people about free bus travel, how it works, how to apply, the benefits and some tips for travelling safely too. It also features the decision tool feature, to help make it easier for parents/carers to understand the different ways they can apply. Information on Young Scot Cards can be found using the link below:

http://young.scot/card

NB: A parent, guardian or carer will need to apply if the young person is under the age of 16.

Scotland has changed its definition of Dyscalculia please click the link for full information:

Click to access nih325-scottish-working-definition-of-dyscalculia-april-2022.pdf

As you may already know the council is planning to bid for funding from the Scottish Government Learning Estate Investment Programme to potentially create a new “learning campus” in the Onthank area. The Head of Education has been working closely with Headteachers and Heads of Centre to ensure full involvement in the preparatory and council processes leading towards a full public consultation.

To ensure that we have a full range of views and ideas across schools, a virtual meeting has been planned to which you are warmly invited. This virtual meeting will take place on Wednesday 25th May 2022 at 5.30-7pm.

This virtual meeting will cover the statutory aspect of the consultation namely introducing ECC facilities to Mount Carmel.

If you would like to receive a link to attend this meeting please follow the link below to complete the relevant form.

Kind regards,

Mrs Fergusson

Head Teacher

Dear Parent/carer,

We are pleased to again be able to start offering pupils from our current Primary 6 & 7 classes the opportunity of brass tuition with Mr. McKreel. Although initially this will only be  a taster session until the end of term, full tuition will begin after the summer break.

If your child is interested in learning a brass instrument please complete the form below:

Brass Tuition Form 2021/2022

As you may already know the council is planning to bid for funding from the Scottish Government Learning Estate Investment Programme to potentially create a new “learning campus” in the Onthank area. The Head of Education has been working closely with Headteachers and Heads of Centre to ensure full involvement in the preparatory and council processes leading towards a full public consultation.

To ensure that we have a full range of views and ideas across schools, a virtual meeting has been planned to which you are warmly invited. This virtual meeting will take place on Wednesday 25th May 2022 at 5.30-7pm.

This virtual meeting will cover the statutory aspect of the consultation namely introducing ECC facilities to Mount Carmel.

If you would like to receive a link to attend this meeting please follow the link below to complete the relevant form.

Kind regards,

Mrs Fergusson

Head Teacher

Can we remind parents/carers that if your child/children are going to be late or absent from school for any reason, to please contact the school prior to 9.15am . You can also contact the school prior to this and leave an absence message on our answering machine.

Thank you

East Ayrshire Activity classes 5th May-1st July – FREE!

KAY PARK

Body Transformation Outdoor Bootcamp ∙ 16YRS+

Outdoor class designed to promote fat loss, build strength and improve fitness. Session will vary each week allowing participants to progress within their own level.

Outdoor Legs, Bums and Tums ∙ 16YRS+

An all ability aerobic calorie burning workout that targets legs, bums and tums.
Multi Sport and Fun Fitness ∙ 9-15 YRS

Coaching for a range of sports and fitness activities, along with games and competitions.

NEWLANDS DRIVE, ONTHANK

All Round Outdoor Fitness ∙ 16YRS+

A mix of aerobic, strength and core exercises to improve all round fitness.

Multi Sport and Fun Fitness ∙ 5-7YRS+

Introduction to various sports, movement and fun games.

Body Transformation Outdoor Bootcamp ∙ 16YRS+

Outdoor class designed to promote fat loss, build strength and improve fitness. Session will vary each week allowing participants to progress within their own level.

” Be Yourself Day”

We are going to be celebrating our individuality by having a non- uniform day tomorrow and are asking kindly for a £1 cash donation  which will go towards  school funds for our health week which begins w/c 9th May,  and allow us to provide some lovely activities for the children during  that week .

To link in with mental health week, we are encouraging the children to come dressed in something that makes them happy. It is not fancy dress; however the children should come dressed in colours that make them smile. Appropriate clothing for school please and , as always ,no football strips etc.

” Be Yourself Day”

We are going to be celebrating our individuality by having a non- uniform day on Friday 6th May and are asking kindly for a £1 cash donation  which will go towards  school funds for our health week which begins w/c 9th May,  and allow us to provide some lovely activities for the children during  that week .

To link in with mental health week, we are encouraging the children to come dressed in something that makes them happy. It is not fancy dress; however the children should come dressed in colours that make them smile. Appropriate clothing for school please and , as always ,no football strips etc.

We would like to extend a warm welcome to Nicola Macy and Alison Wood from the SAC team who will working on literacy within the school until 17th June. 

We are also delighted to welcome Mrs Gillian Morrison to  Mount Carmel . She starts with us this Thursday and takes over from Mrs Gallacher in the office.  Mrs Morrison will work Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

” Be Yourself Day”

We are going to be celebrating our individuality by having a non- uniform day on Friday 6th May and are asking kindly for a £1 cash donation  which will go towards  school funds for our health week which begins w/c 9th May,  and allow us to provide some lovely activities for the children during  that week .

To link in with mental health week, we are encouraging the children to come dressed in something that makes them happy. It is not fancy dress; however the children should come dressed in colours that make them smile. Appropriate clothing for school please and , as always ,no football strips etc.

During Health Week next week, can we ask if the children can come into school with comfortable trousers on with the school polo shirt and jumper also. No football colours.

Also, we would encourage our children to bring in a healthy snack on this week particularly.

The following holidays are coming up in May:

Monday 2nd May – May Day

Thursday 5th May – In -Service Day

Please read the attached letter from Head of Education, Linda McAulay-Griffiths:

Consultation Letter – 27.4.22 – parents and carers

East Ayrshire Health and Wellbeing are running the following course via Vscene on the dates listed below:

“Wellbeing: A practical approach to supporting your child’s wellbeing”:

Session 1- 11th May 6.30pm-7.30-pm

Session 2- 18th May 6.30pm-8pm

This course looks at how parents can support their own and their child’s mental wellbeing. The sessions are free, however, parents need to commit to attending both sessions to take part in the course.

Parents wishing to take take part on the course should email their contact details directly to :

eahwbteam@eastayrshire.org.uk

by Thursday 5th May 2022

” Be Yourself Day”

We are going to be celebrating our individuality by having a non- uniform day on Friday 6th May and are asking kindly for a £1 cash donation  which will go towards  school funds for our health week which begins w/c 9th May,  and allow us to provide some lovely activities for the children during  that week .

To link in with mental health week, we are encouraging the children to come dressed in something that makes them happy. It is not fancy dress; however the children should come dressed in colours that make them smile. Appropriate clothing for school please and , as always ,no football strips etc.

We hope everyone had an enjoyable Easter break!

The school will close today at 2.30pm. Children who receive transport by taxi will be collected at 2pm. Pupils and staff return to school on Tuesday 19th April.

Today is a non uniform day . Children can come to school in their own clothes. In return, we are asking for a £1 donation via Parentpay , which will go towards school funds.

We would again like to remind parents/carers that dogs are not permitted in the playground either before 9am or after 3pm.

Thank You.

Remember…there is still time for you to enter and

 win one of these fabulous Easter prizes…

Thursday is the last day to buy your raffle tickets!!!

Dear Parents/Carers,

In my final days before I retire on Thursday I want to say how much I have enjoyed my short time in Mount Carmel Primary. The three years I have been here have been challenging for our whole school community, but we are emerging from the restrictions of Covid 19 as a stronger, happier team.

I cannot commend all the staff enough for their hard work, dedication and love of the school and the children. They strive to make the experiences for your children the best they can be. Your children are a delight and a credit to you and I look forward to hearing about their successes in the future.

My one regret through this time is I haven’t had a chance to meet many of you personally due to restrictions but I thank you for your continuing support for the staff and the school community.

As I look forward to spending more time with my family I know I am leaving my Mount Carmel family in the safe hands of Mrs Fergusson and all the school staff.

It has been a pleasure and a privilege to be your head teacher.

Primary 1-3

You will shortly receive a link via email to access your unique log in details for “Learning Journals”. This will allow you to access your child’s learner profile.

You will find instructions to guide you through the log in process and information on how to navigate the platform by accessing the link below:

https://learningjournals.co.uk/thevideos/login-parent-using-lj-website/

On the return of pupils on Tuesday 19th April, following the Easter break, we would like to see everyone wearing full school uniform. This should be grey/black trousers, skirt/pinafore, school shirt and tie/polo shirt and blue school sweatshirt. No leggings/tracksuit bottoms unless on PE days where children can wear these with their school sweatshirt on top.

If pupils come to school without a school uniform  for any reason they will be provided with items of uniform for that day.

Thank you for your co-operation on this matter.

Thursday 31st of March will be our Head Teacher, Mrs. McConville’s last day at Mount Carmel Primary as she is retiring.

There will be an assembly in school on Thursday for Mrs McConville where the children can celebrate her retiral.

We are sure you will all  join with us in wishing her a wonderful retirement and thank her for everything she has done for the school and pupils alike during her time as Head Teacher.

Well done to the  “Fire House”!

Pupils who are in the winning house will tomorrow enjoy a movie and popcorn morning and then cooking with Stephanie in the afternoon. The movie the children are going to watch will be :

Disney’s “Raya and the Last Dragon”

This is certificate PG. If any parent/carer does not wish their child to watch this movie please contact the school office. 

We would like to thank everyone for their generous SCIAF donations. They are very much appreciated.

A reminder that raffle tickets for the class Easter egg and Easter hamper will be available until Thursday. All SCIAF donations to be in school for Thursday 31st March. No donations can be taken after this date.

The school will close on Friday 1st April at 2.30pm. Children who receive transport by taxi will be collected at 2pm. Pupils and staff return to school on Tuesday 19th April.